Please sell me on Riverside

[erinmomof2]

I tried to add FD to my current ressie at POFQ, I really wanted to stay there, and after being on hold for an hour I got a recording to hang up and than I got disconnected... by the time I talked to someone (after waiting another hour on hold) FQ was sold out. I booked Riverside so DD can ride the dragon slide, because she keeps talking abou that. But I'm really disappointed. Please tell me that Riverside will be great and that I'll like it even more

 

[MickeyNicki]

The 3 times I wanted POFQ it was sold out so we stayed at POR and we loved it, the grounds and decor are beautiful, great location...just a short back road drive to CR, GF, WL and POLY for dining options, not far from DTD and even AKL for breakfast at Boma! The dining choices and gift shop at POR are both fantastic.

You will not be disappointed.

 

[patclairesmom]

You can still use the pool at PORFQ. I think your going to actually like Riverside. We have stayed at both, and found we like Riverside better. I think the landscaping and the lobby is nicer.

 

[tlrotzoll]

POR is wonderful. You are going to love it. The grounds are beautiful & you can always walk (or take a carriage ride) to POFQ. We were planning on going back again this year because we enjoyed it so much, however, right before booking, we changed our minds. ONLY because we wanted to try something else.

Rest assured - you won't be disappointed!

 

[gcage]

We thought the grounds were really nice and the boat to DTD is a must. I think you'll like it.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Riverside is my favorite moderate!!! The grounds are beautiful and the boat ride to DTD is so easy. When we stayed there it was one of the few trips that we just spent time relaxing around the pool and enjoying some down time.

 

[FireDancer]

While I was still living in Tampa I flew my mom down and booked a long weekend at POR as a mother's day gift. I originally had FQ booked but on one of my quick day trips over I decided to go check the resort out an immediately called from the resort and changed to Riverside. The FQ reminds me too much of the value resorts the way they are set up.

You feel a little more remote because the gorgeous garden areas at the resort take you out of the hustle and bustle that is Disney for a little bit.

I would stay at POR 100 times out of 100 if I had the choice between the two.

I hope you are now convinced.

 

[stopher1]

The grounds at POR are lush and beautiful...almost better than most of the resorts. The main building/dining /retail center is great. Boatwrights is a very nice restaurant. The Magnolia Bend section is the part that looks like large plantation houses, whereas Alligator Bayou looks more like 2 story cabins. Old Man Island is a great pool area too - and you can definitely use the Dragon slide over at FQ, since they're both part of one big resort now... I think you'll like it - we did.

 

[tejasranger]

While I was still living in Tampa I flew my mom down and booked a long weekend at POR as a mother's day gift. I originally had FQ booked but on one of my quick day trips over I decided to go check the resort out an immediately called from the resort and changed to Riverside. The FQ reminds me too much of the value resorts the way they are set up.

You feel a little more remote because the gorgeous garden areas at the resort take you out of the hustle and bustle that is Disney for a little bit.

I would stay at POR 100 times out of 100 if I had the choice between the two.

I hope you are now convinced.

I agree POR is awesome. We just got back in Feb. We did not like the look of French quarter either. POR is so beautiful lots of scenery to take pictures . The children will enjoy feeding the ducks in the mornings by the river. If you get up at sunrise you can get beautiful pictures with the river background. Our favorite thing to do was the boatride to downtown. We stayed in the alligator baYOU SECTION. It was real close to the dining and bus stop. Also Boatwrights has a very good breakfast.

 

[Tink888]

We loved POR. Everything is spread out and very peaceful and quiet. The grounds are beautiful. The rooms were clean and the food court was really good. The were a lot of activities (bike riding, carriage rides, fishing, campfire, etc.). My kids liked the pool. The POFQ is just a short, scenic, ten minute walk from POR. You can enjoy the the best of both resorts!

 

[kizmac]

Our family loves POR! It is such a quiet, beautiful resort. The pool there is wonderful..plus you can hop the boat to FQ and swim there. We always go down to FQ and my kids love both the pools...but my older ones prefer Riverside pool. When I asked them if they would want to stay at FQ instead...they said "no way". They love Riverside too much.

I know it is disappointing to not get your choice resort, but I'd bet money you will love POR and your daughter will still get to use the dragon slide. I hope you have a great trip!

 

["Cinder" Ella's Mom]

We are in the same boat. My kids and I are accompanying my DH when he takes his soccer team to WDW. We stay at CSR every year and couldn't get it. Other than CSR, we have only stayed at Deluxes. Will we like POR?? I have an open mind...

 

[FireDancer]

[quote="Cinder" Ella's Mom;24400063]We are in the same boat. My kids and I are accompanying my DH when he takes his soccer team to WDW. We stay at CSR every year and couldn't get it. Other than CSR, we have only stayed at Deluxes. Will we like POR?? I have an open mind...[/quote]

I think you will like it. I have stayed at both and like them for different reasons. I love CS because of the Spanish colonial theme but POR is a little more laid back. You also don't have the conventioneers everywhere. I think even if it is only to have the experience to compare the two it is worth trying out the POR.

 

["Cinder" Ella's Mom]

Thanks. I am getting excited looking at the pictures of POR. If the pool has a slide, DS6 and DD4 will love it!

 

[szymcl]

You will love it! We used to stay at Riverside (Dixie Landings then) almost every year when my kids were young. Now we are Vacation Club members, but we still have to visit once in a while for the memories. We were just there last week for a stroll down memory lane and it is even better than ever! The food court is GREAT, the pools are wonderful and big and the grounds are wonderful. I have to admit, I really like it better than some of the DVC resorts!

 

[Lureen]

The pool slide at POR is in the "feature" pool called "Ole Man Island." It is much longer than the dragon slide at FQ and a bit more thrilling.

If your DD is older than 4, she'll like it more than the dragon slide.

 

[dizzy203]

POR is my favorite mod. For my parents 40th anniv we went to Disney. They had never stayed on property so they wanted to stay off property because they thought it would be cheaper. I decided to pay the difference for them and I booked POR. That was 9 years ago and they have stayed on property ever since. I love walking around the grounds because it's so pretty. The kids can try fishing at the fishing hole! The pool is nice and the slide is fun. We liked taking the boat to DTD. I'm sure you're going to really like it.

 

[erinmomof2]

Thanks to everyone who replied. I'm sure Riverside will be great and I know we'll still have fun. My DD will be just turned 4 when we go, so I think the smaller slide would be better for her, especially since she is sort of shy of water.

I think I'd like the Mansions section better, does anyone have any suggestions about which bldg to stay at (close to bus stop would be nice). And how likely is it that you'll get the section you request?

Thanks so much for all your help.

erin

 

[grinningghost]

POR is the most awesome resort ever! I absolutely loved it. Everything about it. The place is so serene, beautiful and well-appointed. The food court is huge, the general store is really well-stocked. The pools are fabulous. Boatwright's is a great restaurant. Boat service to DTD is excellent and relaxing.

There is nothing bad to say about POR. Well, except maybe that the buses USUALLY stop at POFQ first - but no biggie - you deal.

Best resort for your buck.

 

[mrsltg]

Thanks for asking this question, OP. Same thing happened to us - we were booked at POFQ and then had to switch to Riverside due to free dining. We've never stayed at either resort but we were looking forward to the French Quarter. After a mild moment of disappointment we are really excited to try Riverside. Only 5 months from tomorrow....